FOOTBALL: Rebels back to winning ways with new signings

Prior to the game, Rebels signed striker Evan Archibald from Lewes and former Tottenham and Brighton midfielder John Piercy, who was at Eastbourne Town. Archibald made his debut against Casuals, coming in for Ben Williamson, who is on a five-day trial with the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Gibraltar.

Worthing again had keeper Alan Mansfield to thank for their victory. At 1-0, just before half-time, he brilliantly saved a penalty and moments later produced another fantastic stop.

Rebels had taken the lead after just four minutes when skipper Glen Woodburn side-footed home Ben Johnson's free kick from six yards.

Archibald had a glorious chance to double the advantage on nine minutes but, after winning the ball off Casuals centre-back Yousseff Metwali, he shot wide from 15 yards.

Casuals got more into the game as the half wore on and were awarded a spot-kick on 36 minutes. Mansfield parried a long-range effort and Woodburn was adjudged to have pulled back Danny Green as they both raced towards the ball.

On another day, Woodburn may have seen red but he was only booked and Mansfield dived low to his right to keep out Joe McNerney's penalty.

Mansfield then brilliantly stopped Byron Brown's 25-yard free kick in the closing stages of the half.

Rebels, with the wind behind them in the second half, brilliantly doubled their lead on 49 minutes when Ben Johnson crashed a 35-yarder into the top corner.

And the win was sealed five minutes from time when Jamie Brotherton, who had earlier hit a post, drilled home a left-footed shot for his 11th goal of the season.

Speaking afterwards, Archibald, who scored 26 goals in 19 games playing professionally for six months in Finland for AC Kajaani, before joining Lewes, said: "I really enjoyed it tonight. The lads were all good to me and Simon Colbran gave me a lot of confidence by starting me.

"I was gutted to miss the chance in the first half, maybe I had too much time, but to win and get the three points was the main thing.

"Things are looking good and I want to help the club win promotion into the Premier Division."

Worthing boss Colbran is delighted to have landed Archibald and Piercy and hopes to still bring a couple more players in.

He said: "Evan was excellent considering it was his first game for us. He holds the ball up well, has a lovely touch and is a good finisher.

"He won't worry about his miss and he'll just go into the next game and get a goal.

"John is a great signing. He needs to get a bit fitter but he's experienced, and is a good bloke to have in the changing room. He will help out the youngsters and it's a major boost for the club to have him here.

"And tonight I'd like to say well done to all the players. I was hard on them before the Folkestone game but they've responded and got back to showing desire and passion. I take my hat off to every single one of them."

WORTHING: Mansfield; Denton, Axten, Woodburn, Farmer; Brotherton, Patton, Akehurst, Johnson; Archibald, Treleaven. Subs: Clarke (Archibald 81), Koroma (Brotherton 87), Moffatt (Treleaven 88), Gacias, Whitehead. Att: 223.

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